TechHub

Since our launch in the Summer, TechHub has been in a kind of beta mode. We have been seeing how our model is matched to the marketplace of entrepreneurs, startups, technology engineers and members of the venture investing community. Since our launch in July, we've been plotting and planning all sorts of things, and getting some great feedback from our Members. We're really excited about 2011, and now than we're a handful of months old, we've had to chance to evaluate where we are.
 

With 5,000 square feet of space to play with, we've been working to bring as much of the tech community under one roof, with events, networking evenings and space to meet and work. It's fascinating to see the kinds of people popping in and out and the range of different businesses based here and visiting. It's been great to support our Members in all kinds of ways, including getting them press coverage and invitations to No 10.
 

Our membership is growing, and our resident desk spaces are filling up. And we have plans to attract mid-sized companies with a new office area in the space. 
 

But now it's time to 'pivot' our model, as the saying goes...
 

It was always our belief that while London has an awesome array of events and meetups, that there was one area that we've been lacking in: serendipity.

One reason the Mecca of Tech is Silicon Valley - apart from the thousands of other reasons and a 50 year history - is serendipity. You can literally walk in to a coffee bar, club or go to a baseball game and bump into people in tech. Like many others, TechHub believes that this is key to creativity and to the flow of new ideas that create new technology.
 

In Europe, our tech communities are so spread out that we have to go to a lot of events to connect. That's fine, but that means we are pretty much always in 'event mode' when really, some of the best ideas come when we least expect them.
 

Some of the feedback we've had from TechHub members who drop in to work is that they feel they either need to make plans to work at TechHub for the whole day or not, and they'd quite like to pop in for an hour here or there.
 

So today we are sprinkling even more serendipity into our business model. 

Originally Members - people who are not based at TechHub but who drop in to work now and again - had to pay a £10 fee for the day. For that, we think the 100 mbps uncontended wifi, free drinks, community and the chance to work all day in a great, fun environment surrounded by other tech people is pretty good. The fact is, you might spend at least that trying to get some work done in a club or a Starbucks during the day - where the wifi sucks and the surroundings are not great.
 

But we want to encourage Members to pop in now and again, even if it's just to say hello to someone they spot through the window. That's why we're now removing the daily fee for those who want to just pop in.
 

Because this new model will increase the flow of traffic through TechHub, we think this will hugely increase the networking opportunities of TechHub Members and thus the ability of Members to make serendipitous connections, boosting their businesses and social connections. And hey, that's the reason we exist, for our Members.
 

As a result of this new model, our Annual Membership will, as of Monday 20th, be increasing to £375 +VAT a year. BUT, if you apply for TechHub Membership before 20th December 2010, this one's on us.

YOU CAN APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP HERE
 

We think this will also accelerate our membership and make TechHub the default place to meet, network, work and hang out for the tech community in London.
 

Notes on the pricing changes
 

So to recap: from Monday 20th December, there will no longer be a daily fee for Members to pop in to TechHub. Woo hoo! 
 

We will be increasing the Annual Membership cost to £375 +VAT which is a fantastic deal for membership, but if you apply before the 20th December 2010, you'll be applying at the current price of £300 +VAT.
 

All existing members won't need to pay any increase until their membership renewal date. 
 

Use of the coworking desks at TechHub will be subject to a fair use policy, and we know that Members will understand this is necessary for sustainability given our low membership fee.

We know that our space is likely to get quite busy with this new pricing model, so if you'd like to book a desk for the day, you can still pay £10 +VAT and a space will be reserved for you, so you can be guaranteed of a space for the days that you choose.

 

See you @TechHub!